FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Merrie Archer, 212-337-0005, x18

Haitian Coalition Calls on Haiti's President to Ensure Safety of Human Rights Advocates

NEW YORK, October 30, 2001 -- The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR), in response to a communiqué received this morning from the NCHR Haiti office in Port-au-Prince (inserted below), is calling on the President and the government of Haiti to ensure that threats received by the staff of NCHR Haiti and its partners in the Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations are immediately investigated and the perpetrators brought swiftly to justice. This recent wave of threats was made following the publication earlier this month of an open letter from NCHR Haiti and the Platform to the Haitian National Police, condemning those police activities that politicize public security and undermine the rule of law in Haiti.

"We will hold the Government of Haiti directly responsible if any harm comes to these human rights defenders, their families, supporters or allies," stated Jocelyn McCalla, NCHR’s Executive Director. "We expect those who call themselves Haiti’s leaders to immediately take any and all measures necessary to ensure that all Haitians enjoy their constitutional freedoms of opinion and expression, particularly the right to question government policy and to express dissent publicly without fear of reprisal."

In a letter dated today, co-signed by several human rights organizations including the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch and the Center for International Policy, NCHR informs President Aristide of these developments and urges him to personally oversee the resolution of this grave matter. We invite all members of the human rights community to demonstrate their concern for the safety and welfare of activists in Haiti by writing to the Government of Haiti and other key bodies. A draft letter and key contact information is available on NCHR’s website.

The National Coalition for Haitian Rights is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that seeks to promote and protect the rights of Haitian refugees and Haitian-Americans under US and international law, and to advance respect for human rights, the rule of law and support for civil and democratic society in Haiti.